Forecasting Kitsap

I found some amazing pictures on a weather forum and just had to share them here. These come from forum member “Mr. Snowmizer” who kept a mist spraying in his backyard in Bremerton during one of the coldest nights this week and saw this as a result:

I kinda wish I had taken advantage of the cold and had done something like that!

But the serious cold is now done. Since Monday, the low temperatures at Bremerton Airport have been: 15, 10, 10, 12, 14 and 15—you’d be hard pressed to find many winters that have managed to do that. Any snow cover would have resulted in temperatures in the single digits for sure.

And now our attention turns to snow possibilities. I hope the KS Staff is reading, because I don’t want “SNOWSTORM OF THE CENTURY TO STRIKE KITSAP MONDAY” turning into a big headline just yet. Yes snow chances are still looking up, but not everyone will see accumulating snow. There are the typical snowier spots on the peninsula that score above others, and you know who you are. If you live around the Hood Canal, consider your chances VERY high at seeing measurable snowfall Monday afternoon into the night.

A PSCZ will form tomorrow and could drift over the peninsula for a time, dropping some rain or snow showers in the afternoon (depending on how warm or cold we are by the time precip arrives), but it will likely be snow in the evening hours. I really don’t expect any snow on the peninsula tomorrow, but wouldn’t be surprised to hear reports of it falling either because CZ’s are pretty spontaneous.

As far as Monday’s snow goes, the NWS, in my opinion, is estimating a little too high with snow amounts. So high, I won’t even mention them on here because I don’t want to stir up any false hope or dread, but I’d say 2-4” is reasonable at this time. That number is expected to fluctuate between later this evening and tomorrow night. Areas away from the Canal (Silverdale, Bremerton, Poulsbo) could see a trace to 2” if conditions are right, but this will all depend on where we’re at with tomorrow’s highs and lows. We need to keep as much cold air in our little bowl as possible, or this thing is a dud.

Those living out to the east and near larger areas of water (example being Bainbridge Island) I wouldn’t expect much of anything. Maybe a 1/2” at best, but a rain/snow mix is more likely.

Everyone else as a whole stands at seeing nothing, a rain/snow mix or some snow that doesn’t accumulate.

I’m just more concerned about the folks living nice and snug next to the Canal. This will be the trouble area, and the place warm air will take the longest to arrive at meaning snow possibility continuing into Tuesday morning.

After that, we can kick our feet up and watch the rain fall as a series of Pacific storms race through our area, giving us that all too familiar Northwest winter feel. The mountains could suffer later in the week, though, as these storms will be very mild. I’ll have more info as the days advance.

Have a great evening and stay tuned for updates!

Matthew Leach

Forecasting Kitsap

Questions? Comments? E-mail me at: forecastingkitsap@live.com

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